Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. Isaiah 2:3. Quoted after: Miriam Bokser Caravella, The Holy Name. P.157.
The most worthy purposes for travelling are listed in order of priority: first, Holy War; then, pilgrimage; then to visit the Prophet's tomb. Next in rank is to visit the al-Aqsa mosque. Next comes travelling in search of learning; then to visit shayks and brethen. (...) Then, to repair past wrongs and to ask forgiveness. Then, to learn the stories of the past, that the may serve as an example. Then, travelling may be practiced as a way of self-discipline (to tame the desirous soul) and to achieve anonymity. The Sufi should not travel for amusement, vanity, ostentation, or to seek wordly things. Kitab Adab al-Muridin, A Sufi Rule for Novices, 106-107, p.52-53.
Last updated: 2004/07/11